By Nan Hayes for Caring Transitions One of the challenges consumers face when moving to a smaller space is trying to figure what to do with their downsized possession. Today there are more options a than ever, including charitable donation, Live auction, online auction site, tag sales, traditional garage sale and Estate Sale.For people with a large amount of valuable inventory but not a lot of time, an Estate Sale can be a very positive experi...

By Nan Hayes for Caring Transitions® By legal definition, personal property is everything that is the subject of ownership that does not come under the denomination of real property (real estate). Personal property is legally divided into two major categories: (1) corporeal personal property, including such items as animals, merchandise, and jewelry; and (2) incorporeal personal property, comprised of such rights as stocks, bonds, patents, and co...

By Nan Hayes for Caring Transitions®Everyone experiences stress in some form or another at various points in their life.In late life, stress may be experienced both by older adults or their adult children as health, social and financial issues arise. The stress may be categorized as “positive” stress, the kind that helps people develop the skills they need to cope with and adapt to new and threatening situations, or as “negative” stress, which m...

Part 1: Comprehensive SolutionsBy Nan Hayes for Caring Transitions®Throughout our lives we experience a variety of life transitions, most of which are prompted by major events. Some events may be anticipated and celebrated as joyful occasions, such as moving to a first apartment, receiving a job promotion or getting married. Other incidents, like failing health, financial loss, the death of a spouse or divorce, are often unexpected and unwelcome...

By Nan Hayes for Caring Transitions®The kitchen is often a focal point at the holidays. Preparing family dinners, assembling a dish for pot luck and baking cookies for neighbors are important traditions for many of us, even as we downsize.When a Caring Transitions® expert helps people sort their belongings during fall and winter months, we ask a lot of questions and pay special attention to holiday habits. Even when moving to a kitchen with limit...